Sport England has committed £40m (US$49.8m, €46.2m) to support parents on low incomes implement regular physical activity within family life.

According to the grassroots sport quango, parents play an important role in “shaping a child’s attitudes and behaviours” – positively or negatively – including towards sport and physical activity.

As such, Sport England will be investing in families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to “allow their children to experience the benefits of getting active”, and will also plough money into projects that make sport and physical activity “fun and enjoyable” for families.

Sport England is now responsible for the out-of-school physical activity of people aged five and above.

It has also been tasked by the government to reduce inactivity and reach sections of the population, such as those from deprived backgrounds, who traditionally are less active.

The £40m Families Fund is part of a wider £194m (US$241.7m, €223.9m) pot earmarked for children and young people over the next four years.

Main areas of investment include an ambitious teacher training programme to increase physical activity in schools, which will be offered free to teachers until 2020; the doubling of the Primary PE and School Sport Premium; and the continued support of Satellite Clubs.

Sport England will also distribute £5m (US$6.2m, €5.8m) to tackle inactivity in colleges.

Expressions of interest for the Families Fund open on 15 May 2017, with grants awarded from this autumn.